When do the clocks go back in 2026? Here’s when British Summer Time officially ends

Well, the sun was fun while it lasted. In just a few weeks, the UK will be swapping British Summer Time for Greenwich Mean Time, putting all our clocks back by an hour and plunging our evenings back into darkness.

While we might have to get used to the sun setting well before most of us have even left the office, it does mean an extra hour in bed and the season of cosy pubs. Before we know it, the countdown to Christmas will be well and truly on. Time flies.

From the exact date the clocks go back to why we do it in the first place, here’s everything you should know about the end of British Summer Time this year.

What date do the clocks go back in 2026?

The clocks will go back by an hour to mark the end of British Summer Time (BST) on Sunday October 25.

What time do the clocks go back?

The clocks will fall back one hour at 2am. So, it'll become 1am again.

What is Greenwich Mean Time?

Greenwich Mean Time or GMT is the UK's standard time zone during the winter months, once the clocks have gone back and we've dropped British Summer Time (AKA daylight saving time).

Why do the clocks go back?

The UK first started changing its clocks back in 1916, as a way of making better use of daylight hours and saving fuel during the war. Once we hit the point in autumn where sticking with British Summer Time would mean unnecessarily dark mornings, we put the clocks back to stop the sun from rising too late, moving the daylight to where it’s needed most.

When do the clocks go forward again?

British Summer Time will return on March 28 2027, when we’ll put the clocks forward again.

Do I need to change the clocks myself?

Clocks on things like phones, computers, smart TVs and modern cars will change on their own. But you will have to adjust the time yourself on older or more manual timekeeping devices like traditional clocks, some cars and kitchen appliances.

Sunset times after the clocks go back

Here’s where the sun will set in major UK cities on Sunday October 25, once the clocks have gone back.

• London – 4.45pm
• Birmingham – 4.48pm
• Manchester – 4.47pm
• Cardiff – 4.56pm
• Edinburgh – 4.43pm
• Glasgow – 4.45pm
• Belfast – 4.57pm

Will the UK stop doing daylight savings?

Some scientists argue that changing the clocks twice a year disrupts our natural circadian rhythms and harms overall wellbeing, leading to calls for the daylight savings to be abolished completely.

The European Union actually voted to end mandatory daylight saving time back in 2019, though the change has not yet taken effect. Meanwhile, the UK has no current plans to abandon the tradition. Public opinion remains highly divided, as a 2024 YouGov survey showed that British citizens are closely split on the matter, with 46 per cent in favour of maintaining the clock changes and 42 per cent supporting their removal.

Where else in the world do clocks change?

There are around 70 countries that adopt daylight saving time in some form. Here’s the full list of those territories that do (outside the UK).

• Akrotiri and Dhekelia
• Albania
• Andorra
• Australia (partial)
• Austria
• Bahamas
• Belgium
• Bermuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bulgaria
• Canada (partial)
• Chile (partial)
• Croatia
• Cuba
• Cyprus
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Egypt
• Estonia
• Faroe Islands
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Gibraltar
• Greece
• Greenland (partial)
• Guernsey
• Haiti
• Hungary
• Italy
• Ireland
• Isle of Man
• Israel
• Jersey
• Kosovo
• Latvia
• Lebanon
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Mexico (partial)
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Palestine
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• San Marino
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Turks and Caicos
• Ukraine
• United States (partial)
• Vatican City

Make the most of the darker evenings - these are the best things to do in the UK this autumn.

Plus: here are the UK’s best pubs for 2026 if you fancy somewhere cosy to hide from the dark.

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